Background and study aim: Since both SARS-CoV-2 and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are positive-sense RNA viruses, it is logical to consider those nucleotide analogues found to be successful against HCV could potentially demonstrate similar efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The present study aims at estimating  the frequency and severity of COVID-19 in HCV-treated patients.
Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional study was accomplished. The study enrolled 200 HCV-infected individuals who were eligible for DAADs therapy and had received treatment in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The treatment regimen for all patients in the study consisted of Sofosbuvir plus Daclatasvir for a duration of 3 months, except for three patients who received the same treatment for 6 months as a result of liver cirrhosis.‎
Results: The enrolled patients attained mean age of 53.6 years. Most patients (74%) came from rural areas, and forty-seven (23.5%) patients had different chronic diseases, with hypertension (17.5%) and diabetes mellitus (13%) being the most common. The majority, 183 (91.5%), of patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR). Only 12 (6%) patients developed COVID-19. In most patients (75%), the duration of infection till seroconversion was 10 days. All COVID-19 patients in the current study,  were ultimately improved with no mortality. Nine (75%) of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients developed infection one year after the last dose of DAADs. Most of those patients rarely follow the recommended hygienic measures‎.
Conclusion and recommendations: Previous treatment of chronic hepatitis C by Sofosbuvir plus Daclatasvir provides protection against infection of SARS-CoV-2. Future large, randomized trials are warranted to draw firm conclusions.